OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

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Pakistan’s Special Relations with Arab World. Pakistan enjoys visceral bonds with Arab World due to many commonalities but mainly the religion. Pakistani people and leadership identify themselves with the Arab causes alike (for example Pakistan’s support on Palestine issue). Arab countries are also a major source of strategic, political and economic strength to Pakistan. Arab countries are the main sources of energy, labour employment overseas (3-4 million) and foreign remittance. Similarities – Pakistan and Arab Countries 36 . World include:- The similarities between Pakistan and Arab Youth Bulge. 60 per cent of Pakistan’s population comprise less than 25 years youth, like the Arab world. Lack of job and Economic Opportunities. Like the Arab world, Pakistani youth have limited job and economic opportunities which is a major source of discontentment. 37 Poor Governance and Corruption. Governance and corruption are the common issues being faced by people of Pakistan and Arab world. Proliferation of Social Media. There are over 29 million internet users in Pakistan. The data gives a close resemblance to the use of social media by the Arabs to coordinate mass demonstrations. Dissimilarities – Pakistan and Arab Countries. Arab World include:- The dissimilarities between Pakistan and Democracy. Unlike Arab countries, the democratic government is in place in Pakistan for the last 5 years and the country is about to go for general elections in 2013. Constitution of Pakistan. The biggest strength of Pakistan’s politics is “1973 Constitution” which is a consensus document. Assertive Judiciary. Pakistan’s judiciary is independent and asserting to safeguard the interests of the people. Vibrant Free Media. Unlike Arab world, Pakistani media with over 90 TV channels and about 100 FM licensed radio stations is vibrant and free to openly criticize the government policies. Likely Effects of Arab Uprising on Pakistan. uprising on Pakistan: Following are the likely effects of Arab Restriction on Travel. Growing instability could lead to restriction on travel to and from Middle East and North African countries. Diplomatic Challenges for Pakistan. Increased instability may lead to reverse flow of Jihadists from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Arab countries resulting in diplomatic difficulties for Pakistan. Also, conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran may lead to increased diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to make the choice or take sides. Reduction in Foreign Remittances. Persistent instability in the region may lead to economic meltdown thereby affecting income of Pakistani Diaspora resulting in reduced foreign remittances. Oil Prices. Similarly, a surge in oil prices is likely in case of prolonged unrest and conflict in the region. Lessons for Pakistan Democratically elected government, free media and assertive judiciary of Pakistan notwithstanding, Pakistani people continue to suffer from identical (if not worse than Arab world) socioeconomic problems. Therefore, similar uprisings cannot be ruled out in Pakistan. In fact in the recent past, the people have been able to bring about meaningful changes such as resignation by president in 2008 under public pressure, restoration of judiciary in March 2009 through nationwide protests and public demonstrations against electricity shortage in summer 2012. OPINION Vol.1 No.1 62 June 2013
Recommended Areas for Immediate Attention by the Government At present, the people of Pakistan have high hopes with newly elected government. If the governance does not improve, the people are likely to react by coming out on the streets and launch massive protests. Nevertheless, following areas have been identified 38 for attention by the next government to avert Arab uprising like situation in Pakistan:- Conclusion Equitable Socio-economic Development. Equitable socio economic development of all the regions of Pakistan is of paramount importance. For this, we have to reset our budget allocation priorities and revenue generation methodology. Social justice, health, education, housings, affordable food and clean drinking water are the most critical issues which are adversely affecting the morale of the nation and need immediate attention. Governance. Poor governance in Pakistan has in fact affected every facet of our national undertaking. Emerging governments in the Arab world, after the uprisings, are keenly studying the Turkish model where the government has been able to create balance between various state institutions through consistent good governance over the past decade. Pakistan also has the potential to develop at a faster pace provided we improve governance, eradicate corruption and ensure across the board accountability. Employment Opportunities. Approximately, three million Pakistani youth enter the job market every year. Providing them with jobs means high rate of growth sustained over a long period. Only a robust private sector can provide bulk of jobs so critically required by our youth. One of the Arab countries that has developed a robust private sector is UAE and it was least affected by the Arab uprisings. Therefore, instead of spending billions of Rupees on sick public sector enterprises, our focus should be on strengthening the private sector. Resolution of Energy Crisis. This is the single most critical issue which has impeded the economic growth of the country, discouraged foreign direct investment and resulted in flight of capital from Pakistan. The issue needs to be tackled on war footing. Internal Stability and Cohesion. The main threat to Pakistan today is from within. Therefore, the leadership of Pakistan must make a sincere effort and use all the means available to nurture internal peace, harmony and cohesion, through socio economic justice, end to nepotism, promotion of merit and the process of national reconciliation. The Arab world has come out of deep slumber and the people have demonstrated that collectively they wield power to overthrow the regimes. The Arab men and women from different walks of life particularly the educated young generation have played the key role in the uprisings and continue to do so in different Arab countries. They have shown tremendous potential, political understanding and clear vision for the future. Now, the job of the civil society, intellectuals and emerging leadership is to focus on political and economic reforms while steering clear of the conspiracy theories and pointless debate and confrontation between secularists and fundamentalists. In view of socio economic inadequacies of Pakistan similar to that of Arab world, Pakistan’s leadership must draw relevant lessons to improve governance and all the facets of people’s life for better harmony in the society, so essentially required for development and prosperity of the country. Researchers: Supervisor: Brig Qaiser, Amb Khalid, ColAbidi (Jordan), Gp Capt Abdulelah (KSA) and Col Shafiq (Egypt) Brig Babar Iftikhar Endnotes 1 Harriet Alexander, One Year on Tunisia Remembers Young Man Whose Death Became the Arab Spring, The Telegraph, 17 December 2011 2 Katerina Dalacoura, The 2011 Uprisings in the Arab Middle East: Political Change and geopolitical Implications, http://www.chathamhouse.org 3 Tom Behr and Mika Aaltola, The Arab Uprising, FIIA Briefing Paper 76- March 2011 4 Nader Hashemi, The Arab Revolution of 2011: Reflections on Religion and Politics, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news OPINION Vol.1 No.1 63 June 2013
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O P I N I O N VOL.1, NO.1 JUNE 2013
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MESSAGE OF PATRON The depth of know
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Part-1 Global / R
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Introduction SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA
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Hydropower Resources. Tajikistan is
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post-Arab Spring transition in the
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Opportunities • Russian aspiratio
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Infrastructural Development It
Page 17 and 18: Introduction AL QAEDA AND THE MUSLI
Page 19 and 20: Attacks in mainland USA - 09 Sep 20
Page 21 and 22: of peace negotiations, saying that
Page 23 and 24: Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. Aft
Page 25 and 26: Reactive Strategy against Al Qaeda.
Page 27 and 28: Deportation / Repatriation of Illeg
Page 29 and 30: COERCIVE STATECRAFT "The most compl
Page 31 and 32: US Coercion of USSR - Cuban Missile
Page 33 and 34: Indian Coercion of Pakistan - Opera
Page 35 and 36: • Determine the punishment regime
Page 37 and 38: other states, or produce counter na
Page 39 and 40: Introduction RISING INDIA - A CRITI
Page 41 and 42: protecting Indian investments overs
Page 43 and 44: India’s Military. Indian military
Page 45 and 46: India has neither been able to prod
Page 47 and 48: In an idealistic scenario, where In
Page 49 and 50: Introduction RISING POWERS AND GLOB
Page 51 and 52: come to dominate the 21 st century
Page 53 and 54: In the face of the growing importan
Page 55 and 56: Better Security Hope in Sight Prosp
Page 57 and 58: power in central and provincial gov
Page 59 and 60: Introduction ARAB UPRISING - A CRIT
Page 61 and 62: Abd-al-Rab Mansur Al Hadi assumed p
Page 63 and 64: the region of Northwest Africa, wes
Page 65 and 66: Transparency International report f
Page 67: leading to the best case scenario.
Page 71 and 72: PART - 2 National Security ‣ Glob
Page 73 and 74: the establishment of the Bretton Wo
Page 75 and 76: Globalization and Poverty Alleviati
Page 77 and 78: years and yet an air of distrust st
Page 79 and 80: can cause capital flight, which is
Page 81 and 82: Imperatives for Reaping the Benefit
Page 83 and 84: Conclusion of other hostile element
Page 85 and 86: 58 TasneemNoorani, “MFN Status an
Page 87 and 88: Elections 2014 Joint appeal to the
Page 89 and 90: Tranche 1: began transition in July
Page 91 and 92: PART- IV FUTURE AFGHAN SCENARIOS AN
Page 93 and 94: Indian and Chinese involvement in d
Page 95 and 96: influence and eastern and southern
Page 97 and 98: scenario would have grave implicati
Page 99 and 100: In present day Asia, three big demo
Page 101 and 102: Major Conclusions. Major conclusion
Page 103 and 104: The increase in glacial melting may
Page 105 and 106: Demography. Unplanned expansion of
Page 107 and 108: Legislate to ensure energy efficien
Page 109 and 110: 26 http://www.pmd.gov.pk/rnd/rnd_fi
Page 111 and 112: INDO - PAK CONFLICTS; 1998 TO DATE
Page 113 and 114: During the conflict, leaders/offici
Page 115 and 116: Pakistan, India, without any formal
Page 117 and 118: or the establishment of stability a
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Researchers: Supervisor: Brig Asim
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The Stone Age of Campaigning. Durin
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Technological Advancements - WW 1 F
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American Operational Art - WW II O
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war began. By early 1951, the fight
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• Freedom of Action for Afghan Fi
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WW-2 • Joint Warfare. • Amphibi
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35 Antulio J. Echevarria II, “Ame
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are not necessarily new. The four e
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Fifth Generation Warfare Theoretica
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• Terrorists now have transnation
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hierarchical organizations. Technol
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Conclusion Force Multipliers. Avail
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PART - 4 VIEWS ‣ Human Security O
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Commission for Human Security, co c
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3 P.H. Liotta and Taylor Owen, “W
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OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

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